MLS

Sporting Kansas City 1-0 San Jose Earthquakes: First half CJ Sapong strike gives home side all three points.

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By Seth Vertelney

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Jun 17, 2011 10:34:00 PM

Sporting has its first winning streak of the season, and has now gone five matches unbeaten.

In the second-ever MLS match at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, Sporting Kansas City continued its recent solid play with a 1-0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes. The win and the goal were both firsts for the team at its new stadium

The first 20 minutes were a back-and-forth affair, as both sided attempted to attack in different ways.

Sporting Kansas City looked to play CJ Sapong through, with the rookie isolated on his own up top. San Jose, meanwhile, attacked through long balls and won several decent free-kick opportunities in the process.

Just a couple minutes later, a mistake by San Jose allowed Graham Zusi in alone against goalkeeper Jon Busch, but Zusi didn't get a shot off in time, and his attempt ricocheted off Busch when it did come off.

In the 31st minute, Sporting Kansas City got the first MLS LIVESTRONG Sporting Park goal, when Graham Zusi whipped in a free-kick from the right sideline which was met by the left boot of CJ Sapong from about ten yards out. The rookie held off Bobby Burling well to grab his second goal of the season.

Chance Myers played several good crosses in from his right-back spot in the first half, one of which was nearly converted by Omar Bravo for Sporting's second just before the half.

Sporting Kansas City picked up right where it left off in the first half, as it created a few chances within the first ten minutes of the second half. Busch made comfortable saves on all of them in the end.

San Jose quickly started to gain a foothold in the match, as second half sub Simon Dawkins started to create some havoc in the Sporting defense.

Sporting Kansas City managed to weather the Earthquakes storm, and brought on Kei Kemara in the middle of the second half to maintain more possession. The Sierra Leon man slotted out in a wide right role for the balance of the match.

The Earthquakes created a few more chances in the match's final 15 minutes, as Simon Dawkins unleashed a ferocious strike from 25 yards out off a free-kick that Neilsen did well to parry away.

In stoppage time, the Earthquakes pumped several crosses into the box, but the Sporting defense held firm and earned the team's second-straight victory.

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